Graphical event-based password system

Abstract

A computer system and method having a user interface including a touch-sensitive display screen. The system and method enables entry of a password which includes displaying a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select with a finger one of the plurality of images displayed. Subsequently at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array is displayed on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select with a finger one of the plurality of images displayed in the another array of images. A computer processor then determines if a user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images and a predetermined image from each at least another array of plurality of images displayed after the first array. If determined, the user is permitted access to an application executable on the computer system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer method providing a user interface on a touch-sensitive display for providing entry of a password for enabling user access to a password protected application, the method comprising:
 displaying, by a processor, on the touch-sensitive display a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed; 
 displaying, by the processor, responsive to determining the user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images with the first designated finger, at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a second designated finger different than the first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed on the at least another array of images displayed; 
 determining, by the processor, if the user selected from the touch-sensitive display a predetermined image from the at least another array of the plurality of images with the second designated finger using finger-print recognition from user interaction with the touch-sensitive display; and 
 permitting, by the processor, user access to the password protected application executable on the computer system contingent upon the determining step. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array includes successive second and third arrays each having a plurality of images. 
     
     
       3. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a graphic image. 
     
     
       4. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a certain color. 
     
     
       5. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an array of a plurality of images is displayed on the touch sensitive display only if it is determined a user selected a predetermined image, with a predetermined designated finger, from an immediately prior predecessor array of a plurality of images displayed on the touch sensitive display. 
     
     
       6. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined image is a same image in the first and at least another array of a plurality of images. 
     
     
       7. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined image is a different image in the first and at least another array of a plurality of images. 
     
     
       8. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is embodied in a smart phone device. 
     
     
       9. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is embodied in a portable computing device. 
     
     
       10. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is embodied in a kiosk computing device. 
     
     
       11. The computer method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is embodied in a banking institution Automated Teller Device (ATM). 
     
     
       12. A computer system having a user interface including a touch-sensitive display screen for providing entry of a password for enabling user access to a password protected application, comprising:
 a memory configured to store instructions; 
 a processor disposed in communication with the memory, wherein the processor upon execution of the instructions is configured to: 
 display on the touch-sensitive display a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed; 
 display, responsive to determining the user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images with the first designated finger, at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a second designated finger different than the first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed on the at least another array of images displayed; 
 determine if the user selected from the touch-sensitive display a predetermined image from the at least another array of the plurality of images with the second designated finger using finger-print recognition from user interaction with the touch-sensitive display; and 
 permit user access to the password protected application executable on the computer system contingent upon the determining step. 
 
     
     
       13. The computer system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array includes successive second and third arrays each having a plurality of images. 
     
     
       14. The computer system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a graphic image. 
     
     
       15. The computer system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a certain color. 
     
     
       16. The computer system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the processor is embodied in a smart phone device.